Tattoo machine rechargeable battery unit with voltage controller

ABSTRACT

A compact battery and voltage supply controller apparatus for a tattoo machine is disclosed. The battery and controller are configured to connect the battery to the tattoo machine through replaceable internally received magnetic connection adapters. The toggle switch operated display screen provides easy-to-view status and health of the battery and incremental voltage adjustment using a voltage boost circuit and adjustment knob. The internal battery can be replaced and/or removed and recharged.

This application claims the benefit of prior filed provisional application Ser. No. 62/825,020, filed Mar. 27, 2019.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is directed to a rechargeable battery system for powering tattoo machines. More particularly, this invention is directed to a compact, rechargeable battery system with a voltage controller and variable mounting configurations for use with tattoo machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tattoo machines are conventionally powered by a mains supply, which typically involves a long cord. Tattoo machines can also be found using a battery as the power supply wherein the battery is affixed (tied) to the artist's arm with a power cable extending to the machine. In many instances, the prior art's battery connection to the machine is insecure, prone to rotation during use, as well as possibly disconnecting. Additionally, the arm-attached battery can be cumbersome with the weight of the battery on the artist's arm being a source of irritation as well as effect the tattoo artist's dexterity and skill. This is especially so during a long tattooing session where the battery may become warm. Rechargeable batteries, with “speed” control, for tattoo machines do exist, but the execution of the machine often results in inaccurate power control, not suitable for brushless DC motors, and an awkward cumbersome battery “pendulum” weighting on the end of the machine making precise control of the opposite, tattooing, end more difficult.

What is desired in the art is a compact lightweight rechargeable battery for a tattoo machine, with multiple adjustable tattoo machine to battery interface possibilities, to accommodate the artist's weighting and balance preferences, as well as providing easy-to-view status(es) of the battery health and voltage provision and adjustment modes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a compact battery and voltage supply controller for a tattoo machine. The invention includes a battery system that allows the battery to direct-connect to the tattoo machine, through various internally received magnetic connection adapters, as well as providing easy-to-view status and health of the battery and incremental 0.01 V voltage adjustment using a voltage boost circuit or voltage modulator/potentiometer circuit actuated via a rotary adjustment knob.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rechargeable battery and voltage control unit in accord with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side, partial internal mechanism, view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a backend view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom plan view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a front ¾ view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows an RCA type adapter for use with a tattoo machine having an RCA type power port.

FIG. 9 shows a 3.5 mm phono type adaptor for use with a tattoo machine having a phono type power port.

FIG. 10 shows an adapter for use with a tattoo machine having a typical DC connection port.

FIG. 11 shows an adapter for use with a “clip cord” type tattoo machine power supply.

FIG. 12 show a power end of a tattoo machine having an RCA type power port on the end shown.

FIG. 13 shows a variation of the adapter shown in FIG. 8 above, i.e., an RCA adapter with an RCA male end and an opposite magnetic connection.

FIG. 14 shows the power end of a tattoo machine with a phono type power connector.

FIG. 15 shows a female 3.5 mm phono power receptacle.

FIG. 16 shows a phono type power supply plugged into a tattoo machine having phono type power receptacle.

FIG. 17 shows a magnetic connector for a “clip cord” tattoo machine.

FIG. 18 shows the connector of FIG. 17 connected to a “clip cord” type connection to a tattoo machine.

FIG. 19 is a battery pack of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 shows the orientation and insertion of the battery pack of FIG. 19 into the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a DC-to-DC power converter boost circuit for boosting output voltage of the power supply.

FIG. 22 is a screen shot of display 5 showing battery state, voltage, and temperature.

FIG. 23 is a screen shot of display 5 showing the supplied information flipped for left-handed users.

FIG. 24 is a screen shot of display 5 showing the same information as that in FIG. 22, but in metric units.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With respect to FIGS. 1-7: an exemplary compact battery power supply device in accord with the present invention is shown. The device includes a housing 15, display 5, power switch 4, adjustment knob 2, screen display toggle switch 3, battery compartment cover 1, and mounting face 6 with an insertion cavity for a magnetic type tattoo machine connector.

The display 5 can show any one or more of the following information to the artist: 1. Battery life (in time, volts, amps, percentage, etc.); 2. Temperature of the battery unit during operation; 3. Current draw; 4. Operational status (on/off/standby/charging/fully charged/etc.). See FIGS. 22-24. Of course, other information that may be useful, can also be shown, according to design preference. In some embodiments, the display 5 may be a touch sensitive display, allowing some degree of display and/or operational mode configurability. In the embodiment shown, control button 3 toggles the display screen between predetermined information register panels as well as flipping the screen for left and right-handed operational display. See FIG. 23.

In the embodiment shown, the screen toggle button 3 operates in the following sequence: Touch 1 turns on the MAIN SCREEN 5. Touch 2 allows the screen 5 to be turned off while the unit 15 still powers the machine. This gives the user the option to keep the screen off or on while in use. Touch 3 allows a user to switch the power supply temperature reading between Celsius and Fahrenheit. Touch 4 allows the user to store up to 2 preset voltages (whatever their optimal run speeds are for the task being undertaken). Touch 5 allows the user to clear the preset voltages they have stored. Touch 6 allows the user to flip the screen view 180 degrees. This is so the unit can be easily used by right or left-handed users and the screen is always facing the correct way for reading for a given user.

The power switch 4 is self-explanatory and switches the battery from an active to an inactive state. Adjustment knob 2 can be used to select different voltage/current settings in the battery between 0 and 12 volts in micro-adjustable increments of 0.01 volts through action of the shown rotary potentiometer 8, FIG. 2, or the boost circuit shown in FIG. 21.

Mounting face 6 provides a structure for the mounting magnetic connection interface adapters to mate the battery power supply unit 15 to a power end of a tattoo machine, or to any necessary adapter to configure a tattoo machine to interface with the internal magnetic connector 6 of device 15 shown. A tattoo machine selected for use is first equipped with the appropriate adapter, RCA, Phone, DC, clip cord, etc., then the device 15 is mated to the tattoo machine so equipped.

A Male RCA power connector 70, as shown in FIG. 8, has a male RCA end 72 opposite a magnetic style connector 74 that fits within the mounting face 6 of the battery supply housing 15 and makes contact with the magnetic electrical conductors within the mounting face 6. The Male RCA power connector 70 can be a removable “plug” and can be transferred to and from other tattoo machines equipped with an RCA type power and control interface. For example, the tattoo machine 50 shown in FIG. 12. The mounting face insertion cavity 6 provides a structural connection point for the power connector 70 to the battery system. That is, the mounting face 6 insertion cavity operates to physically “hold” power connector 70, which in turn physically attaches to the tattoo machine (not shown). The power connector 70 provides, in this example, both electrical connection and physical connection to the tattoo machine. In some embodiments, the electrical connection and physical connection capabilities may be accomplished through different structures.

For example, in FIG. 9 an 3.5 mm phono power connector 80 is shown and has an extended female phono end 82 opposite a magnetic style connector 84 that fits within the mounting face 6 of the battery housing 15 and makes contact with the magnetic electrical conductors within the mounting face 6. The phono power connector 80 can be a removable “plug” and can be transferred to and from other tattoo machines equipped with a phono type power and control interface. For example, the tattoo machines 52 shown in FIG. 14, and 54 shown in FIG. 16. The mounting face insertion cavity 6 provides a structural connection point for the power connector 80 to the battery system. That is, the mounting face 6 insertion cavity operates to physically “hold” power connector 80, which in turn physically attaches to the tattoo machine (not shown). The power connector 80 provides, in this example, both electrical connection and physical connection to the tattoo machine.

In another example, FIG. 10 shows a DC type adapter 90. The adapter 90 has a male DC end 92 opposite a magnetic style connector 94 that fits within the mounting face 6 of the battery housing 15 and makes contact with the magnetic electrical conductors within the mounting face 6. The male DC power connector 90 can be a removable “plug” and can be transferred to and from other tattoo machines equipped with an DC type power and control interface. The mounting face insertion cavity 6 provides a structural connection point for the power connector 90 to the battery system. That is, the mounting face 6 insertion cavity operates to physically “hold” power connector 90, which in turn physically attaches to the tattoo machine (not shown). The power connector 90 provides, in this example, both electrical connection and physical connection to the tattoo machine.

As a further non-limiting example, a “clip” or “strut” type adapter 100 can secure the battery to the tattoo machine, while electrical connection is provided though a separate clip cord connection as shown in FIGS. 11, 17, and 18. The clip cord adaptor 100 is attached to the exposed coil and magnet tattoo machine as shown in FIG. 18, and the power supply 15 is then attached to the magnetic connector 104 by insertion into cavity 6 of unit 15. Other modifications and changes, according to design preference, are understood to be within the scope of this disclosure, such as dual wire, single wire (with polarity), balun-type, and so forth. This flexibility gives the exemplary battery system the ability to be attached virtually all the different types of tattoo machines in the industry. And, if configured with a variable power output capability (using the adjustment knob 2), the exemplary battery system can provide an enhanced range of compatibility to various tattoo machines having different voltage requirements. The artist only needs to mount the correct mounting interface adapter for the power connector desired. Or, insert the appropriate power connector into the mounting interface cavity 6. This allows, the exemplary battery system to be easily used with different machine types.

The system is also able to provide different voltages, selectable by the artist. For example, the artist could select from 0-12 volts in increments of 0.01 Volts. The compactness of the exemplary system resulted in a unit weighing less than 1.3 ounces while still providing up to 8 hours of use. Additionally, the display 5 was configured to be turned off (or reduced in brightness) if the display's light was bothersome. Further, the display 5 is configured to be flipped (or rotated) to allow left-handers to easily read it. See FIGS. 22-24.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the removeable battery cover 1 and affixed battery 20, the battery pack 21, separated from the device housing 15. FIG. 20 shows, particularly, the insertion of the battery pack 21 into the housing battery cavity 22. The battery 20 may comprise cells of a rechargeable lithium ion type totaling, for example, 12-14V, with conventionally known recharging interfaces therefore, i.e., USB, micro USB, etc. The battery can, alternatively, be a generic cell type that can be removed, recharged, and replaced into the internal battery cavity 22 when the battery cavity is equipped to receive such a cell, and the cover 1 for the battery compartment internal cavity 22 operates as just a cover. The removability of the battery either as a unit in combination with the cover, or as a separate cell, eliminates the battery life as the limit on use of the unit 15. Additional batteries or battery packs can be obtained separately thus extending the useful life of the unit 15.

FIG. 21 shows a typical DC-to-DC power boost circuit 110 wherein current is stepped down in exchange for a boost in Voltage. This type of circuit is used to step-up and step down the voltage supply from the battery as the output voltage to the connected tattoo machine and can be used as an alternative to the rotary potentiometer shown in FIG. 2. 

We claim:
 1. A rechargeable battery and voltage controller combination mountable to a tattoo machine, comprising: a housing having a housing first end and a second housing forward end and including a battery cavity internal to said housing; a rechargeable battery adapted for removal from said housing, contained in said battery cavity internal to said housing; a display screen on an exterior surface of said housing showing an output and condition status of said battery; an adjustment knob for controlling a battery output voltage circuit connected to said battery; a mounting face on the housing second forward end of said housing opposite said housing first end, said mounting face including an opening for an internal insertion cavity adapted for receiving a magnetic electrical connector at a magnetic connection internal to said housing through said opening for discharging battery power through said magnetic connection in accord with the control set by the adjustment knob; a removable adaptor having a first end inserted within the insertion cavity, the magnetic electrical connector located at the first end of the removable adaptor, the insertion cavity is configured to receive the first end of the removable adaptor, the magnetic electrical connector contacting the mounting face; and, a connection port on a second end of the removable adaptor, the connection port operably adapted for connecting to a power port of the tattoo machine.
 2. The device claim 1, wherein the connection port is an RCA type port.
 3. The device claim 1, wherein the connection port is a DC type port.
 4. The device claim 1, wherein the connection port is a phono type port.
 5. The device claim 1, wherein the connection port is a clip-cord type port.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein a power output is adjustable in increments of 0.01 V between 0-12 volts.
 7. A rechargeable battery and voltage controller combination mountable to a tattoo machine, comprising: a housing having a housing first end and a second housing forward end and including a battery cavity internal to said housing; a removeable battery located in a first battery cavity internal to the housing; a display screen mounted on an exterior surface of said housing showing an output and condition status of said battery; an adjustment knob, for controlling a battery output voltage circuit connected to the battery; a mounting face on the housing second forward end of said housing opposite said housing first end, said mounting face including an opening to an insertion cavity internal to said housing for receiving a magnetic electrical connector internal to said housing for discharging battery power through said magnetic connection in accord with the control set by the adjustment knob; a removable adaptor having a first end inserted within the insertion cavity, the magnetic electrical connector located at the first end of the removable adaptor, the insertion cavity is configured to receive the first end of the removable adaptor, the magnetic electrical connector contacting the mounting face; and, a connection port on a second end of the removable adaptor, the connection port operably adapted for connecting to a power port of the tattoo machine.
 8. The device claim 7, wherein the connection port is an RCA type port.
 9. The device claim 7, wherein the connection port is a DC type port.
 10. The device claim 7, wherein the connection port is a phono type port.
 11. The device claim 7, wherein the connection port is a clip-cord type port.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein a power output is adjustable in increments of 0.01 V between 0-12 volts. 